Athletics Looking over Shoulder at Rangers as Second Half Gets Underway Friday

Written by Michael Gordon

Friday, 19 July 2013 07:09

The Oakland Athletics may have to win 20-straight games to get the attention they deserve from the sportsbook reviews readers. For now, they are focused on getting back to the postseason any way that they can. The Athletics may be the team that most deserves to be talked about more, but they have a tough task ahead of them with the Texas Rangers right behind them in the American League West as the second half of the regular season gets underway.

Baltimore Orioles @ Texas Rangers Friday, 8:05 PM ET

The Rangers posted just a .500 record in their final 10 price per head games heading in to the All-Star break, and that is the difference between them and an Athletics’ team that had two more wins over that same span and own a two-game lead in the division. Texas has been excellent at home all year, but face a tough challenge to start the second half with the Orioles in town.

Derek Holland will be on the mound for the Rangers as he goes for win No. 9, and he is on a bit of a hot streak after winning four of his final five games before the break while bringing his ERA down to 3.08. However, Baltimore will counter with Wei-Yin Chen, who has bee just as good of late. Chen has led the Orioles to three-straight wins while bringing his ERA down to 2.82, and that includes seven innings of one-run work in a win over Texas in his last start.

MLB Betting Pick: Baltimore Orioles + 140

Seattle Mariners @ Houston Astros Friday, 8:10 PM ET

The Mariners won’t contend for a division title this live betting season, but they are trying to lay down the foundation for future success and that has to happen now. Seattle has played .500 ball at home, but they have really struggled on the road and need to show they can win games as the visiting team in the second half. Joe Saunders improved his trade value by leading the Mariners to three-straight wins heading in to the All-Star break, and the team is hoping he can keep it up in order to get a couple of assets in return for his services. Houston owns the AL’s worst record, and Bud Norris isn’t going to scare many opposing lineups.

MLB Betting Pick: Seattle Mariners + 130

Oakland Athletics @ Los Angeles Angels Friday, 10:05 PM ET

The Angels haven’t been able to make a run like the nearby Dodgers, but they are still a legitimate threat to win every sports betting contest. Oakland won’t take anything for granted when they make the trip for this Friday, especially considering the renewed focus that Los Angeles will probably show as they look to get on track with somewhat of a fresh start. AJ Griffin has gone 3-0 over a string of four-straight Athletics’ wins in games that he has started, and h will need to be great opposite Jared Weaver. Weaver had won back-to-back games before struggling in a loss to the Mariners in his final start before the break, and he could be vulnerable if Griffin can keep Oakland in it long enough to give the offense a chance to figure him out. For all of the latest MLB news and odds, be sure to check out the best sports betting sites.